Blooms bring beauty while sustaining nature
The interest in pollinator gardens and native plants has never been stronger, and wildflowers fulfill both interests. Arkansas is home to a wealth of native annuals and perennials that, if chosen wisely, can provide blooms from frost to frost. If opting for a wildflower meadow, October is the prime month to plant wildflower seeds.
Wildflowers can be grown from seed or transplants. When planting wildflower seeds, look for sources as close to your location as possible. Seeds produced in similar climatic conditions offer a better chance of success. Make sure you start with a clean planting site, free of weeds and grass. Especially with full-sun gardens, weeds are the primary problem. To ensure blooms the first year, use a mix of annuals and perennials, since many perennials will not bloom the first season from seed. Throw in a few transplants to aid in early blooming as well. Once the site is clean of weeds, till the soil, scatter the seeds and some fertilizer, and water.
While there are many choices, here are some good plants to start with for full sun. If you have a wildflower garden, overseeding each fall can thicken your stand, which will reduce weed issues.
| Wildflower | Blooms | Growing Conditions |
|---|---|---|
 | Summer to fall. Variety of colors. | Full sun to partial shade, drought-tolerant once established. |
 | Late spring to early fall, depending on variety. Many varieties. | Most prefer full sun, but a few varieties will grow in shade. Well-drained soil preferred. |
 | Early spring bloomer. Shades of blue, pink and white. | Full sun is best. Allow to form seeds so it can self-seed next year. |
 | Mid-summer to early fall. Tall plant at maturity with purple and white blooms. | Allow to form seeds so it can self-seed next year. |
 | Spring. Bright yellow and orange blooms. | Allow to form seeds so it can self-seed next year. |
 | Late spring through late summer. Bright yellow blooms. | The more sunlight, the better. Deadhead early to get more blooms. Drought-tolerant. |
 | Summer through frost. Wide range of colors. | Full sun to partial shade. |
 | Summer through frost. Shades of pink and white. | Several varieties to choose from. Longest bloomer. Full sun to partial shade. |
 | Late spring through frost. Single and double varieties, mostly yellow and orange. | Full sun, well-drained soil. Deadheading keeps them blooming. |
 | Mid-summer into fall. Purple blooms. | Large plants at maturity, well-drained soil. |
 | Early spring. Shades of blue, pink and purple. | Allow to form seeds so it can self-seed for next year. |
 | Late spring through fall. Red, pink, white and purple. | If plants get too crowded, they can get powdery mildew. |
 | Spring to early summer. While red is the most common color, there are other choices. | Allow them to die back on their own to reseed themselves, or save seeds to sow again next season. |
 | Early summer through fall. Yellow blooms. | Well-drained soil, drought-tolerant when established. Quickly spread. |
 | Summer through fall depending on variety. Yellow, orange or white. | A variety of sizes, all need sun. |